EPA v. Lee Bar Ranch

Case summary

The Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division for Region IX of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues this Emergency Administrative Order (Order) to James Nichols and Kristin Nichols (Respondents) pursuant to EPA's authority under Section 1431(a) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C. Section 300i(a). The undersigned officials have been properly delegated this authority. EPA has primary enforcement responsibility for the SDWA public water system supervision program on the Pala Indian Reservation. No other governmental authority has applied for and been approved to administer the program on the Reservation. The outcome of this order includes 10 failing septic systems repaired and no longer polluting the soil and potentially the nearby drinking water well, and 90 residents protected from potentially contaminated drinking water.

Defendants (1)

• Lee Bar RanchNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• LEE BAR RANCH

  36273 PALA TEMECULA RD, PALA, CA, 92059

  Registry ID: 110070829086

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1431-PWS — Emergency Powers/PWS

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Lee Bar Ranchentered 2020-08-20

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2020-08-20Final Order Issued
• 2020-08-20Enforcement Action Closed
• 2020-08-24Enforcement Action Data Entered